Historical Background:

 First and Second Timothy are books

called the “Pastoral Epistles” and these two letters are addressed to Timothy and Titus. Two letters to Timothy are in the New Testament and has special teachings from Paul. Paul did not write all of the books, however attributed to Paul. According to Felix Just, S.J. Ph.D., “The two letters addressed to Timothy and the one to Titus are collectively called the “Pastoral” letters, not only since they are addressed to some early Christian “pastors” or leaders, but also because they give instructions about the qualifications and responsibilities of people who are to serve as “shepards” or bishops of local congregations..

According to the New American Bible, “The three letters, First and Second Timothy and Titus form a distinct group within the Pauline Corpus. If Paul is considered the more immediate author, the Pastorals are to be dated between the end of his first Roman imprisonment (Acts 28,16) and his execution under Nero (A.D. 63-67); if they are regarded as only more remotely Pauline, their date maybe as late as the early second century.”

References:

Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.-http://catholic-resources.org

New American Bible, St. Joseph Edition, (1990) pg. 321-322

Selected Inspirational Verses

1Timothy

2:1-4Prayer Request: “First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyonefor kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior,who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.”

2:5-6 Grandeur of God:“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all. “

4:11-16 Apostolic Succession: “Command and teach these things. Let no one have contempt for your youth,* but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Until I arrive, attend to the reading, exhortation, and teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word* with the imposition of hands of the presbyterate.Be diligent in these matters, be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to everyone. Attend to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in both tasks, for by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.”

5:8 Duties Towards Family:  “And whoever does not provide for relatives and especially family members has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

6:10 Rules for New Life:“For the love of money is a root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.” 

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Letters to Timothy

6:17-19 Right use of Wealth:“ Tell the rich in the present age not to be proud and not to rely in so uncertain a thing as wealth but rather on God, who richly provide us with all things for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous ready to share, thus accumulating as treasure a good foundation for the future, so as to win the life.”

2Timothy

1:7-8 Test of Faith:  “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor for me a prisoner for his sake; bear your share of hardship for the gospel with strength that comes from God.”

2:11-13 Test of Faith:  “Here is a trustworthy saying: If we have died with him,  we shall also live with him;  if we persevere,  we will also reign with him.But if we deny him, he will deny us;  if we are unfaithful,  he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.”

3:1-5 Dangers of the Last Days: “But understand this: there will be terrifying times in the last days.People will be self-centered and lovers of money, proud, haughty, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, irreligious,callous, implacable, slanderous, licentious, brutal, hating what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, as they make a pretense of religion but deny its power. Reject them.

3:16-17 Teaching:  “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reputation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the one who belongs to Godmay be competent, equipped for every good work.”

4:7-8 Reward of Fidelity: “ I have competed well: I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.”

Group of Timothy

Group Members:Jesus Gonzales Kim Kendrick Marco Garcia, Luis Barranca Facilitators: Robert Rosales & Fabie Landing

Prayers:

O God, send us Your divine grace. Be with our spirits and make our faith strong. Help us to stay away from sin and be faithful to you in everything we do. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

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